Sports training system and method

ABSTRACT

A device to function as a training aid designed to improve the tennis serves, ground strokes and volleys, badminton serves and strokes, volley ball serves and returns, baseball batting, racquet ball serves and returns, and squash serves and returns. It is also useful in any activity where the user seeks to improve striking performance when a sports object is suspended in a particular three-dimensional space location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/493,924 filed Jul. 22, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of practice or training devices and more specifically relates to practice or training devices utilizing projectiles suspended by a tether.

2. Description of Related Art

Success in many sports requires precise control of a racquet, bat, or club when striking a ball or other sports object. Although game play within the above-noted sports is highly diverse, there are significant similarities in the means by which player skill is achieved within these sports. Isolating and practicing particular movements of play has many benefits. For example, placing a tennis ball, volley ball, badminton shuttlecock, racquet ball or squash ball at an ideal service location enables the server to improve their service techniques. This is particularly important because it separates the two major causes of variation, the toss variation and the service motion variation. When the object is in the ideal service location, a player can focus on improving the service motion without chasing a poorly tossed ball or object of play. Thus a need exists for new practice systems that achieve this objective.

Prior attempts have been made to address this need. For example, U.S. Pat. No./Pub. No. 7,691,013 to Emerson relates to a method and device for tennis training. The described method and device for tennis training includes a tennis training device comprises a ball, a rope, and a hollow pole, the ball being coupled with a portion of a first end of the rope, a part of the rope being in a cavity of the pole, the rope being knotted at or near the second end of the rope. The training device may be coupled with a support. A method of training various tennis shots comprises the steps of obtaining the training device; adjusting a length of a first portion of the rope which is outside the pole between an first end of the pole and the first end of the rope; holding the pole to set the ball at a selected height; and allowing a player to hit the ball with a tennis racquet. Multiple trainers may participate the training with the training devices and allow a player to practice a combination of different tennis shots. Unfortunately, the apparatus of Emerson is deficient in that the ball is fixedly attached to the line in a tethered fashion wherein the ball stays attached to the line after it is hit, thus limiting the effectiveness of the apparatus as a training device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known practice or training devices art, the present disclosure provides a novel sports training system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a sport training system related to improving the ability of a player to strike a sports object such as a ball, shuttlecock, etc.

A sport training system is disclosed herein. The sport training system may include a support frame, including a substantially vertical support member that may have an upper end and a lower end, an overhead support member that may include a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated middle segment extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end may be coupled to the upper end of the substantially vertical support member. The elongated middle segment may project outwardly from the connection point. A base member may be provided, which may be coupled to the lower end of the substantially vertical support member. Such a base may be configured to support the substantially vertical support member from a ground surface. A cord movably engaged with the overhead support member may be also be provided. The cord may have a first end suspended below the distal end of the overhead support member and a second end suspended below the proximal end of the overhead support member. A releasable attacher may be provided at the first end. The releasable attacher may be configured to attach the sports object to the first end of the cord and to release the sports object from the cord when the sports object is struck by the player.

A first height adjuster configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface may be provided. Such a first height adjuster may include a counter weight coupled to the second end of the cord, wherein the height of the sports object is adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight relative to the proximal end of the overhead support member. Such adjustment functions to alter the length of the cord between the releasable attacher and the distal end of the overhead support member. In turn, the height of the first height adjuster and any sports object attached to the first height adjuster, is raised or lowered relative to the ground surface. Additional height and angle adjustment features may be provided, as disclosed herein.

A method of using the sport training system is also disclosed herein. The method of using the sport training system may comprise the steps of: providing a support frame including a substantially vertical support member may have an upper end and a lower end, an overhead support member may have a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated middle segment extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper end of the substantially vertical support member, the elongated middle segment projecting outwardly thereof, and coupled to the lower end of the substantially vertical support member, a base member configured to support the substantially vertical support member from a ground surface; providing a cord movably engaged with the overhead support member, the cord may have a first end suspended below the distal end of the overhead support member and a second end suspended below the proximal end of the overhead support member; providing a releasable attacher configured to attach the sports object to the first end of the cord and to release the sports object from the cord when the sports object may be struck by the player; and providing a first height adjuster configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the first height adjuster may include a counter weight coupled to the second end of the cord, the height of the sports object adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight relative to the proximal end of the overhead support member, such adjustment altering the length of the cord between the releasable attacher and the distal end of the overhead support member; attaching the sports object to the releasable attacher; and adjusting the height of the sports object to a user-selected height relative to the ground surface using the first height adjuster.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a sports training system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sport training system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sport training system of FIG. 1, showing the device being telescopically lowered for compact transport and storage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is partial elevational view, enlarged for clarity, of attachment and motion-control subcomponents of the sport training system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing kit arrangements of the sport training system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the sport training system of FIG. 1, showing a counter-balance height-adjustment feature, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is partial elevational view, of the detail 6 of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the sport training system of FIG. 1, showing an angle and height adjustment feature, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the sport training system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a practice or training devices and more particularly to a sports training system and method as used to improve the practice or training devices utilizing projectiles suspended by a tether.

Generally, the device suspends a tennis ball, badminton birdie (shuttlecock), volley ball, baseball, racquet ball, or squash ball in a selected three-dimensional location (x-axis is left to right from the user, y-axis is towards and away from the user, and vertical z-axis is up and down). The tennis ball, badminton birdie, volley ball, baseball, racquet ball, or squash will hereinafter be referred to generally as a “sports object”. Such sports objects include, but are not limited to the aforementioned items.

The disclosed device is a training aid designed to improve the tennis serves, ground strokes and volleys; badminton serves and strokes, volley ball serves and returns, baseball batting, racquet ball serves and returns, squash serves and returns. It is also useful in any activity where the user desires to improve striking performance when a sports object is suspended in a particular three-dimensional space location.

The placement of the tennis ball, badminton shuttlecock, volley ball, baseball, racquet ball, squash ball, or other sports object is easily adjustable to the desired three-dimensional location of the user.

The device is portable and can be used on the actual playing field: such as, but not limited to tennis courts, volley ball courts, baseball fields, racquet ball courts or squash courts.

When the suspended sports object is struck, the sports object retention force is very low and the sports object takes a trajectory, with any associated imparted spin, very similar to a free floating sports object being struck.

The device is free standing, self-supporting, portable, easy to set up, reload sports objects, and take down after use.

The device can use actual regulation tennis balls, badminton shuttlecocks, volley balls, baseballs, racquet balls, squash balls, or other sports objects.

The tennis balls, badminton shuttlecocks, volley balls, baseballs, racquet balls, squash balls, or other sports objects are loaded manually with an option for automatic loading.

The device utilizes a counter balance friction system to adjust and maintain the vertical (z-axis) placement of the sports object. A hook-and-loop fastener type attachment (for example, a Velcro® product) may be used to suspend the sports object and adjust height of the sports objects with a line. The x and y position are adjusted by placement of the base or rotation of the system.

The device allows a user to practice striking the sports object in a user-selected location. Examples in tennis include: striking high volleys, low volleys, high ground strokes, low ground strokes, low ground strokes close to the net, close to the body strokes, and overheads. The device also allows the user to practice striking a rising or descending sports object. In this case, the ball is released, such as by a coach, with the cord taut to the front side of the user (but not directly in front of the user). The ball will follow a pendulum motion and can be struck during the downward or upwards trajectory of the pendulum motion. The device may also be used in group training sessions.

The device provides a target for tossing the volley ball, badminton ball, racquet ball, squash ball, or other sports object during the service motion.

Placing the volley ball, badminton shuttlecock, racquet ball or squash ball at the ideal service location enables the server to improve his service techniques. This is particularly important because it separates the two major causes of variation: the toss variation and the service motion variation. When the sports object is the ideal service location the user can focus on improving the service motion without chasing a poorly tossed sports object.

The device is designed to mount cameras, video players, and/or radar guns, or other devices to help the user analyze and improve performance.

The device utilizes a mechanism to prevent the cord from wrapping around the overhead suspension pole. A weight is attached on the cord on a location above the sports object which is attached to hook-and-loop fastener. The durometer of the weight is sufficiently low to prevent damage to the striking object, such as a tennis racket, if the weight is accidently struck. The distance between the weight and the overhead pole is greater than the distance between the weight and the sports object which is attached to hook-and-loop fastener. As the sports object attached to hook-and-loop fastener is struck, the hook-and-loop fastener detaches from the sports object. The sports object takes the trajectory similar to a freely struck sports object. The hook-and-loop fastener rotates around the weight in a planetary motion. The weight and hook-and-loop fastener move in a circular planetary arch around the overhead pole. The inertial weight is high enough so that the weight and hook-and-loop fastener does not have enough momentum for the weight to circle the overhead pole. Thus, preventing cord entanglement around the overhead support member. The weight has a generally conical shape to help prevent cord entanglement around the weight.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-8, various views of a sport training system 100. FIG. 1 shows a sport training system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the sport training system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to improve the skill of the player 40 during the striking of a sports object 103 such as a ball, shuttlecock, etc. As illustrated, the sport training system 100 may include a support frame 102 including a substantially vertical support member 104 having an upper end 106 and a lower end 108, as shown. The vertical support member 110 may include a set of telescopic tubular members 113 arranged in at least one nested telescoping arrangement, as shown. Each tubular member 113 may be arranged to engage the adjacent tubular member with a snug but slidable, telescoping fit.

The sport training system 100 may further include an adjustable overhead support member 110 having a distal end 112, a proximal end 114, and an elongated middle segment 116 extending between the distal end 112 and the proximal end 114, as shown. The proximal end 114 may be pivotally coupled to the vertical support member 104 near the upper end 106, as shown in FIG. 5. During use, the elongated middle segment 116 may be positioned to project outwardly from the connection point at a user-selected orientation, as shown.

The sport training system 100 may further include a base member 118 coupled to the lower end 108 of the vertical support member 104. The base member 118 is configured to support the vertical support member 104 from a ground surface 101. As noted above, the ground surface 101 may comprise an actual playing field, such as, for example, tennis courts, volley ball courts, baseball fields, racquet ball courts or squash courts, etc. The system may also be used on other non-play surfaces having relatively level topographies (i.e., parking lots, fields, etc.)

In one embodiment of the present system, the base member 118 includes at least three support legs 128 projecting outwardly from the vertical support member 104. The three support legs 128 may be configured to be foldable to positions located tightly adjacent the vertical support member 104, thus providing a compact form for transport and storage (see FIG. 4). In one embodiment of the present system, the three support legs 128 may comprise weighted members or may contain ballast materials to reduce the potential of overturning during use. In some embodiments of the system, the ballast may be installed and removed and as needed. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other support arrangements such as, for example, water-filled bases, sand-filled bases, sleeve-mounted units, permanently-mounted units, units attachable to a fixed wall or post, etc., may be sufficient.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sport training system 100 of FIG. 1, showing the device being telescopically lowered for compact transport and storage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is partial elevational view, enlarged for clarity, of attachment and motion-control subcomponents of the sport training system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted device of the sport training system 100 may further include a flexible cord 120 movably engaged with the overhead support member 110, as shown. The cord 120 may comprise a first end 122 suspended below the distal end 112 of the overhead support member 110 and a second end 124 suspended below the proximal end 114 of the overhead support member 110, as shown.

The sport training system 100 may further include a releasable attacher 126 configured to attach the sports object 103 to the first end 122 of the cord 120 and to release the sports object 103 from the cord 120 when the sports object 103 is struck by the player. The releasable attacher 126 may utilize a hook-and-loop fastener material 166, such as Velcro® to join the sports object 103 to the end of the cord. The releasable attacher 126 may further include a resilient support disk 130 adapted to firmly support the hook-and-loop fastener material and couple the hook-and-loop fastener material with the cord 120. The diameter of the resilient support disk 130 may be selected to match the area of hook-and-loop fastener material 166 required to support the weight of the selected sports object 103. Through experimentation, it was found that a resilient support disk 130 formed from rubber having a shore-A hardness of between about 70 and 80 provided superior in-use durability. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other attachment arrangements such as, for example, temporary bonding materials, mechanical grips, releasable straps, slings, the use of harder or softer rubber materials, etc., may be sufficient.

The sport training system 100 may further include a mechanism to prevent the cord 120 from wrapping around the overhead support member 110. More specifically, the system may include an anti-cord-wrapping restrainer 132 configured to reduce wrapping movement of the cord 120 about the distal end 112 and adjacent portions of the overhead support member 110 after the sports object 103 is struck. In one embodiment of the present system, the cord-wrapping restrainer 132 may include a motion-dampening weight 134 affixed to the cord 120 at a position between the distal end 112 of the overhead support member 110 and the releasable attacher 126 (see FIG. 3). The motion-dampening weight 134 may include a central bore 136 configured to pass the cord 120 and a conical upper portion 138 arranged generally coaxially with the central bore 136. The motion-dampening weight 134 may be constructed from one or more durable medium to high density synthetic rubbers, such as polybutadiene rubber. The shape of the conical upper portion 138 is adapted to reduce entanglement of the cord 120 around the motion-dampening weight 134 after the sports object 103 is struck by the user 40. In one implementation of the present system, the distance between motion-dampening weight 134 and the overhead support member 110 is greater than the distance between the motion-dampening weight 134 and the releasable attacher 126, as generally shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

In specific reference to FIG. 3, as the sports object 103 attached to the releasable attacher 126 is struck, the sports object 103 detaches from hook-and-loop fastener 166. The trajectory X1 of the detached sports object 103 is generally similar to a freely-struck sports object. After a strike, the releasable attacher 126 moves along a generally circular path C1 centered on the base of the motion-dampening weight 134. At the same time, both the motion-dampening weight 134 and releasable attacher 126 move along a larger circular path C2 centered on the distal end 112 of the overhead support member 110. The inertial mass of the motion-dampening weight 134 is great enough so that the combined motion-dampening weight 134 and hook-and-loop fastener does not have enough momentum for the assembly to circle the overhead support member 110, thus preventing cord entanglement around the overhead support member 110.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the sport training system 100 of FIG. 1, showing a counter-balance height-adjustment feature, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is partial elevational view, of the detail 6 of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sport training system 100 may further include a counter-balance arrangement for raising and lowering the object to be struck. More specifically, the depicted device may include a counter-balance feature used to implement a first height adjuster 140. The first height adjuster 140 is configured to allow the user 40 to quickly and easily adjust the height of the sports object 103 and releasable attacher 126 relative to the ground surface 101 (see FIG. 1). The first height adjuster 140 may include a counter weight 142 coupled to the second end 124 of the cord 120, as shown. In this arrangement, the height of the sports object 103 and/or releasable attacher 126 are adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight 142 relative to the proximal end 114 of the overhead support member 110. Because the cord 120 is continuous between the first and second ends, such adjustments also function to concurrently alter the length of the cord 120 between the releasable attacher 126 and the distal end 112 of the overhead support member 110, as generally indicated by the arrow depictions.

The first height adjuster 140 may further include a first frictional retainer 144 configured to frictionally retain the position of the counter weight 142 and the object/releasable attacher 126 relative to the overhead support member 110. In one embodiment of the system, the overhead support member 110 comprises a rigid hollow tube having an internal cord passage 146 through which the cord 120 passes (see FIG. 6). The internal cord passage 146 may extend between the distal end 112 and the proximal end 114 of the overhead support member 110. The first frictional retainer 144 may preferably operate by frictional interaction between the cord 120 and the inner wall(s) of the internal cord passage 146.

By way of example, after a tennis ball is hit, the releasable attacher 126 often cannot be reached and pulled down for the next reload since it is located several feet above the user's fully extended hand. The counter-balance arrangements of the first height adjuster 140 enables convenient raising and lowering of the releasable attacher 126. Moreover, the position of the releasable attacher 126 and sports object 103 are held in place during use by the friction of the system. Therefore, there is no need to clip, tie, or otherwise attach the cord in place. The cord 120, along with the associated weight, stays in place whether the object to be struck is attached to the or not.

The friction utilized within the first height adjuster 140 is generally a function of:

a) the coefficient of friction of the overhead support member 110 and cord 120;

b) the mass/weight of the counter weight 142;

c) the mass/weight of the motion-dampening weight 134 and releasable attacher 126; and

d) the weight of the sports object 103, when the object is attached before striking; and

e) the ending weight of the assembly after the sports object 103 has been struck and detaches from system.

f) The friction may also be adjusted by mechanical means, such as clamping mechanism; lubricants; coating on the cord and/or support member; changing material surface finish, or other methods to adjust friction.

Again referring to the example of FIG. 5, the user 40 may lift the counter weight 142 by hand resulting in the movement of the cord 120 extending through the overhead support member 110, thus lowering the conical motion-dampening weight 134 and releasable attacher 126 attached to the opposite end of the cord 120. The user may continue to raise the counter weight 142 until the releasable attacher 126 can be reached. This action allows the user to attach a sports object 103 to be struck to the releasable attacher 126. Pulling down on the counter weight 142 raises the releasable attacher 126 and the object to be struck. A user may continue to pull down counter weight 142 until the object to be struck is adjusted to the desired height. The user may then strike the suspended object releasing the object from releasable attacher 126. The above steps may be repeated as required to attach additional sports objects 103 to be struck.

The counter weight 142 may further include a counter-weight coupler 148 configured to assist user coupling and decoupling of the counter weight 142 and cord. The counter-weight coupler 148 may comprise a carabiner-style device supporting a set of disk-shaped weights (washers) having a central aperture. The user may fine-tune the performance of the first height adjuster 140 by adding or removing weights from the coupler. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other adjuster arrangements such as, for example, the use of other weight configurations, the use of cord ties, electrically-operated cord deployment reels, automatic object loaders, etc., may be sufficient.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the sport training system 100 of FIG. 1, showing an angle and height adjustment feature, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this regard, the sport training system 100 may also include an angle adjuster 152 configured to adjust the angle of the overhead support member 110 relative to the ground surface 101. In one embodiment of the present system, the angle adjuster 152 may include a first locking collar 154 engaged on the vertical support member 110, and a fixed-length diagonal brace member 156 pivotally coupled to both the first locking 154 collar and the overhead support member 110, as shown. A second locking collar 160 is movably engaged on the vertical support member 110. The proximal end 114 of the overhead support member 110 is coupled to the second locking collar 160, as shown. In this arrangement, vertical movement of the second locking collar 160 along the vertical support member 110 produces pivotal rotation of the overhead support member 110 about the proximal end 114. Thus, the angle Q of the overhead support member 110 is adjustable relative to the ground surface 101 by such vertical movement of the second locking collar 160.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the depicted device of the sport training system 100 may further include a second height adjuster 158 configured to allow the user 40 to adjust the suspended height of the sports object 103 relative to the ground surface 101. The second height adjuster 158 utilizes the telescopic feature of the vertical support member 110. In this regard, the second height adjuster 158 may include a third locking collar 161 engaged on the vertical support member 110, which is configured to lock at least two of the tubular members 113 in a user-selected telescopic arrangement. Thus, the height of the sports object 103 is adjustable relative to the ground surface 101 by adjusting the tubular members 113 to a user-selected telescopic arrangement and locking the system at the selected height using the third locking collar 161. It is noted that vertical support member 110 may comprise a locking collar at each of tubular members 113, as shown. It is further noted that the height of the sports object 103 is adjustable relative to the ground surface by adjusting the position of either one of the first locking collar 154, the second locking collar 160, and/or the telescopic locking collars. The locking collars may be of a standard design having manually operable knobs, threaded fasteners, etc. for the locking and releasing of the units.

The system may include additional useful accessories. In one implementation of the present system, the device may include one or more device mounts 162 adapted to removably mount at least one imaging device such as cameras, video players, radar guns, etc. The system may include a toss target device attachable to the releasable attacher 126. The toss target device may be used to practice the accuracy of an upward throw. The toss target device may include a hollow cylindrical tube having open upper and lower ends. A set of suspension cords may be included to allow the user to connect the upper end of the cylindrical tube to the releasable attacher 126. In use, the toss target device is suspended vertically above the user. The user attempts to toss a ball or other sports object 103 upwardly through the lower open end of the cylindrical tube. In this way, the accuracy of the user's throw may be improved. The support frame 102 may include safety accessories customarily used in heavy-duty supports stands, such as, for example, safety pins/receivers adapted to positively interlock the tubular members 113, etc. Embodiments of the sport training system 100 may be folded and arranged in compact form for transport and storage, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing kit arrangements of the sport training system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, the sport training system 100 may be arranged as a kit 150. In particular, the sport training system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the sport training system 100 (such that the sport training system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner, as illustrated in the example instructions below).

Example Instructions:

Device Instructions for Use SET-UP

1. Extend tripod base

-   -   1. Loosen hand screw knob (Knob, Item #5)     -   2. Extend base until red marked line is visible on lower base         pole.     -   3. Hand tighten Knob #4

2. Extend Overhead extension bar (Bar, Item #1)

-   -   1. Hand tighten hand screw know #1 to top of top extension pole.     -   2. Loosen hand screw knob #2     -   3. Separate Knob #1 from Knob #2 by about 1 foot. This will lift         the Overhead extension bar to about 30 degree above horizontal         position. This can be adjusted to desired height.     -   4. Tighten Hand Screw Knob #2

3. Unwrap cord from cord mounts

-   -   1. Note: Velcro will drop. Avoid entangling cord.

4. Extend Top Extension Pole

-   -   1. Raise Top Extension Pole to Second hole location     -   2. Insert Retaining Pin     -   3. Hand Tighten Hand Screw Knob #3

5. Extend Center Extension Pole

-   -   1. Raise Center Extension Pole to Fourth hole location     -   2. Insert Retaining Pin     -   3. Hand Tighten Hand Screw Knob #4

6. Place the Set-Up Device on a flat surface and desire location for use.

7. Check that the Device is stable. If not check for loose screws or potential damaged parts.

Instruction for USE

1. Attaching the ball

-   -   a. Lift Counter Balance causing the ball attachment device to         descend     -   b. Attach ball to ball attachment device by pushing ball with a         slight twist

2. Positioning the ball on a tennis court

-   -   a. Pull the ball (attached to the cord as low as possible).         Check the ball distance from service line. Typically this ball         will be 2-3 ball diameters in from of the service line     -   b. Adjust the ball to service line distance by either moving the         entire Device or rotating the center extension pole.

3. Position the ball in the ideal 3 Dimensional space for you.

-   -   a. Pull down on the counter weight to lift the ball     -   b. The ideal ball height is at the center of your racket of your         fully extended serve.         -   i. If you serve flat footed. Fully extend your arm with your             racket. The ball height should be at the center of the             racket.         -   ii. If you serve on your toes. Fully extend your arm with             your racket on your tippy toes. The ball height should be at             the center of the racket.         -   iii. If you jump serve. The ball should be placed at the             center of the racket when you jump and fully extend your arm             with your racket.     -   c. You should experiment to find the ideal location for your         current serving methods. The ideal ball location will probably         change as you become a master Device.

4. Hit the ball

5. Reload Ball

-   -   a. Lift Counter Balance to drop ball attachment device     -   b. Attach Ball     -   c. Hit Ball.

Taking Down the Device

1. Retract Center Extension Pole

-   -   a. Remove retaining pin     -   b. Unscrew Hand Screw Know #4     -   c. Retract Center Extension Pole

2. Retract Top Extension Pole

-   -   a. Remove retaining pin     -   b. Unscrew Hand Screw Knob #3     -   c. Retract top extension pole

3. Wrap cord around cord management device

4. Lower Overhead pole

-   -   a. Loosen Hand Knob #2     -   b. Push low Overhead pole

5. Retract 3 legged based

-   -   a. Loosen Hand Knob #5     -   b. Lift base bracket (attached to the 3 legs) until legs are         fully retracted.

Safety and Warnings

The Device is design and manufactured for safety, ease of use during the set-up, use, and take down; and effectively improving your tennis techniques. Take these precautions to mitigate potential personal injury.

1. Wear eye protection: safety glasses

2. Prior to each use, check for loose fasteners, bolts, nuts, screw, damaged/broken tubes. Do not use Device until remedied.

3. After set up, check for stability, over extended sections, improper tightening of hand screw knobs, un-inserted retaining pins, improperly extended tri pod legs. Do not use until remedied.

4. Always place the Device on a safe level surface.

5. Be aware of pinch points to avoid pinch point injuries during set-up, use, and take down.

6. The Device is weighted for stability. Do not remove weight inside tripod tubes. Do not knock over or hit the Device.

7. Do not allow someone to be positioned in front of the Device during use.

The kit 150 may further include one or more sports objects 103 selected from the group consisting of tennis balls, badminton shuttlecocks, volley balls, baseballs, racquet balls, and squash balls. The kit 150 may further include a storage bag 170 configured to store the system in a folded (compact) arrangement. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit arrangements such as, for example, the inclusion of other sports items, cameras, etc., may be sufficient.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram 550 illustrating a sport training method 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the sport training method 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a support frame including a substantially vertical support member having an upper end and a lower end, an overhead support member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated middle segment extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper end of the substantially vertical support member, the elongated middle segment projecting outwardly thereof, and coupled to the lower end of the substantially vertical support member, a base member configured to support the substantially vertical support member from a ground surface; step two 502, providing a cord movably engaged with the overhead support member, the cord may have a first end suspended below the distal end of the overhead support member and a second end suspended below the proximal end of the overhead support member; step three 503, providing a releasable attacher configured to attach the sports object to the first end of the cord and to release the sports object from the cord when the sports object may be struck by the player; step four 504, providing a height adjuster configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the height adjuster may include a counter weight coupled to the second end of the cord, the height of the sports object adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight relative to the proximal end of the overhead support member, such adjustment altering the length of the cord between the releasable attacher and the distal end of the overhead support member; step five 505, attaching the sports object to the releasable attacher; and step six 506, adjusting the height of the sports object to a user-selected height relative to the ground surface using the height adjuster.

It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for sport training system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A sport training system related to improving the ability of a player to strike a sports object, the sport training system comprising: a support frame including a substantially vertical support member having an upper end and a lower end, an overhead support member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated middle segment extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper end of the substantially vertical support member, the elongated middle segment projecting outwardly thereof, and coupled to the lower end of the substantially vertical support member, a base member configured to support the substantially vertical support member from a ground surface; a cord movably engaged with the overhead support member, the cord having a first end suspended below the distal end of the overhead support member and a second end suspended below the proximal end of the overhead support member; a releasable attacher configured to attach the sports object to the first end of the cord and to release the sports object from the cord when the sports object is struck by the player; and a first height adjuster configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the first height adjuster including a counter weight coupled to the second end of the cord, the height of the sports object adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight relative to the proximal end of the overhead support member, such adjustment altering the length of the cord between the releasable attacher and the distal end of the overhead support member.
 2. The sport training system of claim 1, wherein the first height adjuster further comprises a first frictional retainer configured to frictionally retain the position of the counter weight and the releasable attacher relative to the overhead support member.
 3. The sport training system of claim 2, wherein the cord passes through an internal cord passage extending between the overhead support member.
 4. The sport training system of claim 3, wherein the first frictional retainer comprises frictional interaction between the cord and the internal cord passage of the overhead support member.
 5. The sport training system of claim 1, further comprising a counter-weight coupler configured to assist user coupling and decoupling of such counter weights from the cord.
 6. The sport training system of claim 1, wherein further comprising a cord-wrapping restrainer configured to restrain wrapping movement of the cord about the distal end of the overhead support member after the sports object is struck; and wherein the cord-wrapping restrainer comprises a motion-dampening weight affixed to the cord at a position between the distal end of the overhead support member and the releasable attacher.
 7. The sport training system of claim 6, wherein the motion-dampening weight comprises: a central bore configured to pass the cord; and a conical upper portion arranged generally coaxially with the central bore; and wherein the conical upper portion is adapted to reduce entanglement of the cord around the motion-dampening weight after the sports object is struck by the player.
 8. The sport training system of claim 6, wherein the distance between motion-dampening weight and the overhead support member is greater than the distance between the motion-dampening weight and the releasable attacher when the motion-dampening weight is affixed to the cord.
 9. The sport training system of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises at least three support legs projecting outwardly from the vertical support member; and wherein the at least three support legs are configured to be foldable adjacent the vertical support member to provide compact storage.
 10. The sport training system of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical support member comprises a set of telescopic tubular members arranged in at least one nested telescoping arrangement.
 11. The sport training system of claim 10, further comprising an angle adjuster configured to adjust the angle of the overhead support member relative to the ground surface; wherein the overhead-support angle adjuster comprises a first locking collar engaged on the substantially vertical support member, and a fixed-length diagonal brace member pivotally coupled to the first locking collar and the overhead support member; and a second locking collar movably engaged on the substantially vertical support member; wherein the proximal end of the overhead support member is coupled to the second locking collar; wherein vertical movement of the second locking collar along the substantially vertical support member produces pivotal rotation of the overhead support member about the proximal end; and wherein the angle of the overhead support member is adjustable relative to the ground surface by such vertical movement of the second locking collar.
 12. The sport training system of claim 11, further comprising a second height adjuster configured to allow the user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the second height adjuster including a third locking collar engaged on the substantially vertical support member; wherein the third locking collar is configured to lock at least two of the tubular members in a user-selected telescopic arrangement; and wherein the height of the sports object is adjustable relative to the ground surface by adjusting the tubular members to the user-selected telescopic arrangement.
 13. The sport training system of claim 12, wherein the height of the sports object is adjustable relative to the ground surface by adjusting at least one of the first locking collar, the second locking collar, and the third locking collar.
 14. The sport training system of claim 1, wherein the releasable attacher comprises at least one hook-and-loop fastener material.
 15. The sport training system of claim 14, wherein the releasable attacher further comprises at least one resilient disk adapted to firmly couple the cord and the at least one hook-and-loop fastener material.
 16. The sport training system of claim 1, further comprising at least one device mount adapted to removably mount at least one imaging device.
 17. A sport training system related to improving the ability of a player to strike a sports object, the sport training system comprising: a support frame including a substantially vertical support member having an upper end and a lower end, an overhead support member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated middle segment extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper end of the substantially vertical support member, the elongated middle segment projecting outwardly thereof, and coupled to the lower end of the substantially vertical support member, a base member configured to support the substantially vertical support member from a ground surface; a cord movably engaged with the overhead support member, the cord having a first end suspended below the distal end of the overhead support member and a second end suspended below the proximal end of the overhead support member; a releasable attacher configured to attach the sports object to the first end of the cord and to release the sports object from the cord when the sports object is struck by the player; a first height adjuster configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the first height adjuster including a counter weight coupled to the second end of the cord, the height of the sports object adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight relative to the proximal end of the overhead support member, such adjustment altering the length of the cord between the releasable attacher and the distal end of the overhead support member; a counter-weight coupler configured to assist user coupling and decoupling of such counter weights generally matching a weight of a selected sports object; an angle adjuster configured to adjust the angle of the overhead support member relative to the ground surface, the overhead-support angle adjuster comprising a first locking collar movably engaged on the substantially vertical support member, and a brace member pivotally coupled to the first locking collar and the overhead support member; a second height adjuster configured to allow the user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the second height adjuster including a second locking collar movably engaged on the substantially vertical support member; and a cord-wrapping restrainer configured to restrain wrapping movement of the cord about the distal end of the overhead support member after the sports object is struck; wherein vertical movement of the first locking collar along the substantially vertical support member produces pivotal rotation of the overhead support member about the proximal end; wherein the angle of the overhead support member is adjusted relative to the ground surface by such vertical movement; wherein the proximal end of the overhead support member is coupled to the second locking collar; wherein the height of the sports object is adjustable relative to the ground surface by adjusting the position of the second locking collar; wherein the first height adjuster further comprises a first frictional retainer configured to frictionally retain the position of the counter weight and the releasable attacher relative to the overhead support member; wherein the cord passes through an internal cord passage extending between the overhead support member; wherein the first frictional retainer comprises frictional interaction between the cord and the internal cord passage of the overhead support member; wherein the cord-wrapping restrainer comprises a motion-dampening weight affixed to the cord at a position between the distal end of the overhead support member and the releasable attacher; wherein the motion-dampening weight comprises a central bore configured to pass the cord, and a conical upper portion arranged generally coaxially with the central bore; wherein the conical upper portion is adapted to reduce entanglement of the cord around the motion-dampening weight after the sports object is struck by the player; wherein the distance between motion-dampening weight and the overhead support member is greater than the distance between the motion-dampening weight and the releasable attacher when the motion-dampening weight is affixed to the cord; wherein the base member comprises at least three support legs projecting outwardly from the vertical support member, and wherein the at least three support legs are configured to be foldable adjacent the vertical support member to provide compact storage; wherein the height of the sports object is adjustable relative to the ground surface by adjusting the position of either one of the first locking collar and the second locking collar; wherein the substantially vertical support member comprises a set of tubular members arranged in at least one telescoping arrangement; wherein the releasable attacher comprises at least one hook-and-loop fastener material; wherein the releasable attacher further comprises at least one resilient disk adapted to firmly couple the cord and the at least one hook-and-loop fastener material; and further comprising at least one device mount adapted to removably mount at least one imaging device.
 18. The sport training system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the sport training system is arranged as a kit.
 19. The sport training system of claim 18, wherein the kit further comprises at least one sports object selected from the group consisting of tennis balls, badminton shuttlecocks, volley balls, baseballs, racquet balls, and squash balls.
 20. A sport training method related to improving the ability of a player to strike a sports object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a support frame including a substantially vertical support member having an upper end and a lower end, an overhead support member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated middle segment extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper end of the substantially vertical support member, the elongated middle segment projecting outwardly thereof, and coupled to the lower end of the substantially vertical support member, a base member configured to support the substantially vertical support member from a ground surface; providing a cord movably engaged with the overhead support member, the cord having a first end suspended below the distal end of the overhead support member and a second end suspended below the proximal end of the overhead support member; providing a releasable attacher configured to attach the sports object to the first end of the cord and to release the sports object from the cord when the sports object is struck by the player; and providing a height adjuster configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the sports object relative to the ground surface, the height adjuster including a counter weight coupled to the second end of the cord, the height of the sports object adjustable by user positioning of the counter weight relative to the proximal end of the overhead support member, such adjustment altering the length of the cord between the releasable attacher and the distal end of the overhead support member; attaching the sports object to the releasable attacher; and adjusting the height of the sports object to a user-selected height relative to the ground surface using the height adjuster. 